Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest. Premier League.
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Report and free match highlights as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 5-0 to go back above Man City at the top of the Premier League; Reiss Nelson scored twice after replacing Bukayo Saka, who suffered an ankle injury only weeks before the World Cup
Sunday 30 October 2022 23:53, UK
Reiss Nelson scored twice after replacing the injured Bukayo Saka as Arsenal thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 to move back above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Nelson hadn't made a Premier League appearance since August of last year and hadn't scored in the competition since July 2020 when he came on for Saka in the first half, but he seized his chance with two close-range goals in three minutes soon after the break.
Earlier, Gabriel Martinelli had given the hosts a fifth-minute lead when he headed home Saka's cross, but, just three weeks before the start of the World Cup, the England international was subsequently forced off with suspected foot injury after a poor challenge from Renan Lodi.
Saka's injury stalled Arsenal's momentum initially but Mikel Arteta played down fears he could miss the World Cup afterwards, describing the injury as a "bad kick" and saying he "didn't see anything further than that".
Back on the pitch, the Gunners were rampant after half-time, scoring the third goal in a devastating eight-minute spell through Thomas Partey, Nelson turning provider as his pass was sumptuously curled into the top corner by the Ghanaian international.
Martin Odegaard added Arsenal's fifth, dispatching a powerful finish from Gabriel Jesus' lay-off, as Nottingham Forest, 1-0 winners over Liverpool last weekend, left a buoyant Emirates Stadium firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, their plight a stark contrast to what's going on at Arsenal.
As has become a feature of Arsenal's performances this season, they started quickly and aggressively, taking the lead after Takehiro Tomiyasu won possession in the attacking third and fed Martinelli.
The Brazilian looked up and picked out Saka on the right-hand side, then continued his run into the Forest box, meeting his team-mate's in-swinging centre with a superb header that flew past Dean Henderson.
Arsenal's players held up a Pablo Mari shirt during the celebrations, a tribute to their on-loan defender following his stabbing in Italy this week, and when the action resumed, they continued to pin Forest back and cause them problems.
Jesus curled a shot narrowly over the bar and Martinelli saw another effort hacked off the line, but by that point, Saka was already in discomfort following Lodi's late tackle.
His enforced withdrawal opened the door for Nelson, but the Gunners struggled to break the visitors down without their talisman for the remainder of the first half, briefly allowing Forest to grow in belief.
That belief swiftly evaporated after half-time though, Nelson rifling home his first goal after his initial shot was parried by Henderson, then adding his second when he flicked a low cross by Jesus into the net.
Nelson's double made the game safe but Arsenal weren't finished, Partey adding the fourth with a outstanding long-range strike almost identical to his goal against Tottenham at the start of the month.
The Gunners continued to threaten, with Jesus teeing up Odegaard for the fifth, the Arsenal captain delaying his shot before sending a rasping finish high into the net.
Arteta made a raft of changes in the closing stages, allowing some of his key players to get some much-needed rest after a period of nine games in a month, but Jesus stayed on for the full 90 minutes as he continued to search for a goal.
The Brazilian had two golden opportunities, seeing a one-on-one effort saved by Henderson then somehow failing to turn home a Ben White flick from two yards out following a late Fabio Vieira corner.
But it was Nelson's afternoon in the end, his eye-catching impact ensuring Saka's injury did not dampen the mood as much as it might have done otherwise, and ensuring Arsenal rediscovered their form after last weekend's 1-1 draw with Southampton and the Europa League loss to PSV Eindhoven in midweek.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed Reiss Nelson's growing maturity after his two-goal performance at the Emirates Stadium.
"Not only me but all his team-mates and all the staff are so happy for him because he's a kid that is really changing, really evolving, really maturing and showing every day how much he wants it," he said.
"Today he had the opportunity and he did extremely well because he helped us to win the game."
Asked again how exactly Nelson has changed since returning from loan at Feyenoord this summer, Arteta added: "How focused he is on his profession, the way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he's challenging everybody every single day.
"He's a joy of a kid and we all want him to be successful and do well and what he has done today for the team is something that he really merits."
Arteta also praised his side for how they responsed to last weekend's 1-1 draw with Southampton and the 2-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven in midweek.
"Big teams have to respond as quick as possible and we did that," he said.
"After the disappointment of Thursday night, you don't have time. We got here Friday evening. One half-training session, and be ready again, not only physically but mentally against a team that beat Liverpool.
"The pressure is on. You lose the first place and you are there. We need to get used to that."
Gabriel Jesus was desperate to score and Mikel Arteta wanted it too, allowing the Brazilian to complete the 90 minutes despite using the latter stages of the game to rest other key players.
The goal did not arrive, Jesus somehow missing a close-range opportunity at the far post in the final few minutes and also having a one-on-one effort well saved by Forest's Dean Henderson.
But does it really matter if he doesn't find the net when he does so much else for this side?
His seven-game scoreless streak is of course a source of frustration, but this was another example of how Jesus has transformed Arsenal as an attacking force since his arrival from Manchester City.
As always, he was a furiously busy presence from the start, working tirelessly out of possession and pulling Forest defenders out of position with his movement to the flanks while also providing plenty of threat in the opposition box.
In fact, his total of 17 touches in the box was the most by any player in any Premier League game all season. Jesus had seven shots without scoring, but there were two assists, the Brazilian setting up Reiss Nelson for the third goal and Martin Odegaard for the fifth.
It is fitting, in a way, that he now has as many assists as he does goals in the Premier League this season. This is a player who sacrifices himself for the team; a player who makes those around him better. Goal drought or not, Arsenal are feeling the benefits.
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper bemoaned his side's lack of competitive edge, saying they need to have "grown-up conversations" about their poor display at the Emirates.
"We don't just have to take this on the chin. We have to deal with it as we fell way short in terms of competing.
"Of course, we could have played really well and still not got anything out of the game. But the situation we're in, the bare minimum you have to do is stand up and be counted and be hard to beat.
"The start of the second half we were nowhere near competitive enough, I can't think of tackles or fouls where we competed, not even fouls. Players running past us, one-twos around us.
"In the end. If you can't do that, especially at this level, you're going to get hurt.
"We have to have some grown-up conversations - both with myself, my staff and definitely the players - and be honest about how today was and aim to be much better going forward."
Bukayo Saka's injury is a major headache for Gareth Southgate given his importance to the national team. The forward started brightly at the Emirates Stadium before being forced off following a late challenge by Renan Lodi.
Ben White produced another impressive display at right-back, helping Arsenal keep a clean sheet and further strengthening his case for World Cup inclusion.
Aaron Ramsdale had little to do in goal for the Gunners, but it was a miserable afternoon for his opposite number Dean Henderson, who appears to be slipping out of World Cup contention.
Jesse Lingard failed to catch Southgate's eye with an anonymous showing before his second-half withdrawal, but what of Reiss Nelson? The Arsenal youngster is uncapped at senior level but has he given Southgate something to think about?
Arsenal are next in action midweek, hosting FC Zurich at the Emirates in the Europa League on November 3, before a trip to Stamford Bridge to face London rivals Chelsea on November 6; kick-off 12pm.
Nottingham Forest will entertain Brentford at the City Ground on November 5; kick-off 3pm.
